After losing in overtime in their first NAIA championship game appearance in 2012, Morningside (15-0) overcame their first halftime deficit of the year to defeat Benedictine (Kan.) 35-28 on Saturday night in Daytona Beach.
On the second play from scrimmage to start the second half, Trent Solsma connected with receiver Connor Niles on an 80-yard touchdown. On the Mustangs’ next drive, Solsma connected with tight end Reid Jurgensmeier for a 19-yard touchdown to increase the lead to eight points.
But Benedictine (13-2) answered Morningside punch-for-punch all night. In the fourth quarter, taking over at their own 38 after a failed fourth-down conversion by Morningside, quarterback Shaefer Schuetz led the Ravens on a 10-play, 62-yard drive and a one-yard touchdown run by Frank Trent and an unbelievable two-point conversion catch by Alex Blake tied the game at 28 with 5:49 remaining.
Opportunity came for the Mustangs. A botched snap on a Benedictine punt attempt gave Morningside the ball at the Ravens’ 18 with 2:20 remaining in the game.
On third and eight, Solsma found Niles, his friend and favorite target, near the middle of the field for a 16-yard touchdown.
